IN FOOTBALL circles it’s known as the Emirates Syndrome, where a club moves ground and then has trouble settling into its new home.

In the four years since they left Highbury, Arsenal have yet to win a trophy and still seem as far from regaining the Premier League title they once swapped with Manchester United as ever.

The principle holds true in Midlands rugby, too, though admittedly on an entirely different level as Birmingham & Solihull are yet to win a game at Damson Park.

Indeed, in the opinion of the mercurial Rod Petty, Bees have so far donned their Sunday worst whenever they have appeared in front of their own fans.

“Our two home performances have been our poorest of the season,” the fly-half admitted.

“Nottingham was diabolical then against Plymouth we were in the game but did not really have to do much to get our points. Likewise, they didn’t have to work for theirs either.”

In fact, Bees have lost their opening two fixtures at their new shared facility and conceded 77 points in the process, and Petty has warned they must improve that record when Esher visit this weekend.

“It’s starting to feel like home, a lot more so than the first week when we weren’t even sure which the home dressing room was,’’ he said.

“Against Plymouth last time it felt like our ground, we have just got to make other teams feel that too.

“I am not sure whether we put too much pressure on ourselves. We have been committing a few mistakes and they have been heavily punished, although we have not taken a real beating this year except maybe at Worcester.

“I know it’s hard to say you are getting better each week when you are still losing but it genuinely feels that way.

“Once one thing goes our way we will get a win and when that happens I can see us getting quite a few.”

Indeed, Petty views Sunday’s visit from the Championship’s promoted side as an ideal opportunity to put his development theory to the test.

With bottom-half sides Esher, Doncaster, Moseley and Bristol to play in the next month, Petty insists he can envisage a situation where Bees have three wins under their belts.

“Sunday is a first step towards that. It is one of our best chances to get a win so far and we’ve got to make sure we don’t waste it,” he added.

Petty is likely to continue in the No.10 shirt he wore for the first time this season at Rotherham six days ago.

Bees will also be boosted by the return of former captain Rob Connolly, who has missed the last four matches with a leg injury.

The Irishman might have to wait for his chance, though. Backs coach Eugene Martin was impressed with the performances of Mike Denbee and Jack Bentall in the defeat at Clifton Lane and is set to stick with them in the back row.

However, hooker Jack Preece is still battling to recover from his knee problem with Joe Reid set to deputise.